Bennett's Tree Kangaroo

Dendrolagus bennettianus

Museum specimen featured in the Wild exhibitionSource: Museum Victoria

Type: mammal

Bennett's Tree kangarooImage: Martin HarveySource: photolibrary

Conservation Status

[ SecureVulnerableEndangeredExtinct ]

Although the number of Bennett’s Tree Kangaroos has increased since their protection from hunting, the tiny distribution of these animals make them vulnerable to sudden catastrophes such as fire or disease. The speices has benefited from forest protection schemes that have slowed or reversed development in the lower Daintree area.

WHAT THEY EAT

Bennett's Tree Kangaroos are herbivores.

They eat mostly the leaves of about 33 plant species.

HOW BIG THEY ARE

Size relative to a cat and a woman.

Weight:

11–14 kg

Length:

body 69–76 cm, tail 74–84 cm

Amazing Bennett’s Tree Kangaroos

Bennett’s Tree Kangaroos are nocturnal, tree-dwelling marsupials that are in the same family (Macropodidae) as wallabies and kangaroos. Tree kangaroos evolved from ground-dwelling ancestors and have adaptations for life in the forest canopy. Their front legs are quite long and sturdy for climbing trees, while their back legs have padded, agile feet for gripping. Quick and nimble among the branches, tree kangaroos can leap and hop while using their long heavy tails for balance. Their kangaroo heritage is apparent from the way they hop along tree limbs.

Bennett’s Tree Kangaroos have brown and grey fur with black patches on their tails, limbs, chests and bellies. They are very difficult to spot in the canopy because their dark undersides camouflage them from below.

Adult Bennett’s Tree Kangaroos are generally solitary. Males, which are much larger than females, defend their territories fiercely from other males. This is unusual among macropods, which are not often territorial. Tree kangaroos also breed at a slower rate than their ground-dwelling relatives; females bear just one joey a year. Each joey is carried in its mother’s pouch for nine months, and is weaned after twelve months.

Tree kangaroos were once hunted for food by Aboriginal people. Their natural predators include pythons and dingos.